Booking choice: The Scenic World, wildlife and cruise day. Book this Tour details
Jenolan Caves sits south-west of the Blue Mountains, in the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve, a separate trip further west from the Katoomba lookouts. Right now you cannot go at all.
Here is what the official sources say about the closure, the reopening target, and what to do with your Blue Mountains day instead.
The quick answer
The Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve, including the Caves Visitor Precinct, is closed until 31 December 2026, according to NSW National Parks. The cause is storm and rain damage to the Two Mile section of Jenolan Caves Road. Jenolan Caves says it is working towards reopening in early 2027. No tour on this site goes there. Spend the day on Echo Point, Scenic World, Wentworth Falls or Blackheath instead.
Is Jenolan Caves open in 2026?
No. NSW National Parks lists the whole reserve, including the Caves Visitor Precinct, as closed until 31 December 2026.
The NPWS alerts page is plain about it: the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve "is closed until 31 Dec 2026". The Jenolan Caves website opens with the line "Jenolan Caves is currently closed for major road repairs".
The closure covers more than the caves. The Six Foot Track, the walk from Katoomba that ends at Jenolan, is closed at the reserve boundary. Jenolan Caves says there is no access on it between Caves House and Binda Bush Cabins.
| What | Status in October 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve and Caves Visitor Precinct | Closed until 31 Dec 2026 | NPWS alerts |
| Show cave tours | Not running; closed for road repairs | Jenolan Caves |
| Jenolan Caves Road, 5-Mile Road section (separate from the Two Mile section) | Closed indefinitely | NPWS Jenolan visitor info |
| Six Foot Track | Closed at the Jenolan reserve boundary | NPWS alerts |
| Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass | Closed; detour adds about 45 minutes from Mount Victoria | NPWS alerts |
Why is Jenolan Caves closed?
Weather damage to the road in. The Two Mile section of Jenolan Caves Road was badly damaged between 2021 and 2024, and the caves have been shut since April 2024.
Jenolan Caves says the Two Mile section of Jenolan Caves Road "was severely damaged by major weather events between 2021 and 2024". According to Australasian Leisure Management (August 2026), severe rain in April 2024 did further damage, and the caves have been closed to the public since then. The same report notes that fires, floods, landslides and COVID-19 kept Jenolan closed more often than open after 2020.
Getting in is the problem. NPWS describes Jenolan Caves Road, the 5-Mile Road, as "closed indefinitely". Jenolan Caves says Transport for NSW has finished major stabilisation work and is preparing for the next phase.
When will Jenolan Caves reopen?
The target is early 2027, with no exact date yet. The NSW Government announced the target, and Jenolan Caves says it is making progress towards it.
Jenolan Caves' own wording is "We're making progress towards reopening to the public in early 2027". Australasian Leisure Management reported in August 2026 that the NSW Government had announced the early 2027 target, and that an exact date would follow once operational planning is finished.
The same report says the visit will change. The Two Mile Road is being restored to a drivable state but is expected to stay closed to general traffic. Visitors would park at a new facility at the top and ride a shuttle bus down to Caves House. Caves House is being refurbished, and a new Blue Lake boardwalk and track upgrades are part of the work. Bathurst MP Paul Toole has also called for a gondola down to Caves House as a long-term fix. That is a proposal, not a plan.
Treat early 2027 as a target. Check the Jenolan Caves site before you build a trip around it.
Can a Blue Mountains day tour from Sydney include Jenolan?
Not in 2026. The reserve is closed, and no tour on this site goes there.
A Jenolan day trip is a long one: Sydney to the mountains, then further west and down a steep, winding road. With the reserve closed, there is nothing to visit. Ignore any older itinerary, blog or tour description that still adds the caves to a mountains day.
The road picture adds a second reason. The Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass, west of Mount Victoria, is closed, and NPWS says to allow about 45 extra minutes on the detour. More on that, and the track closures closer to Katoomba, is in our closures post.
Swap the caves for Scenic World: three rides, a rainforest boardwalk, the Three Sisters, a wildlife park and a river ferry home.
Book thisWhat can you do instead of Jenolan on a Blue Mountains day?
Spend the time on top of the cliffs: Echo Point and the Three Sisters, Scenic World's rides, Wentworth Falls, Leura, or the Blackheath lookouts.
Nothing in Katoomba replaces a show cave. What you gain is time. A day without the Jenolan detour leaves room for the places most people come for.
Scenic World is the closest thing to an attraction day. Its railway runs down the old Katoomba Colliery line into the Jamison Valley, with a rainforest boardwalk at the bottom and a cable car back up. It opens every day of the year. The Three Sisters walk from Echo Point is short and easy. If you want a walk, the Wentworth Falls track runs 1.4 km return. Blackheath has Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout, which NPWS suggests for sunset. Staying the night? The council's Katoomba Falls night-lit walk turns on its lights at dusk.
| If you wanted Jenolan for | Try this instead | How to do it |
|---|---|---|
| A big attraction with rides | Scenic World's railway, Skyway and Cableway | On a tour, or with the Scenic World pass |
| The famous view | Echo Point and the Three Sisters walk | On almost every tour, or by train and local bus |
| A real walk | The Wentworth Falls track or a guided bushwalk | The waterfall walk day |
| Culture and Country | A day with a Wiradjuri guide | The Aboriginal experience day |
| Quieter lookouts | Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout at Blackheath | The secluded lookouts tour |
Which tour fits a day without Jenolan?
For rides and wildlife, the Scenic World, wildlife and cruise day. For a cultural day, the Aboriginal experience. For a simple big-coach day, the classic trip.
The Scenic World, wildlife and cruise day packs in the most attractions: Scenic World, the Three Sisters, Megalong and Jamison lookouts, lunch, a wildlife park in western Sydney and a Parramatta River ferry, in a group of 20 at most. The classic full-day trip covers similar ground on a bigger coach, with lunch at your own cost in Leura.
For something different, the Aboriginal experience day is led by a Wiradjuri guide, with an acknowledgement ceremony and at most 14 guests. Its listing does not itemise the stops, so ask the operator if a particular lookout matters to you. Still choosing? Our guide to the best Blue Mountains tour compares the options.
Scenic World's rides and boardwalk, the Three Sisters, two valley lookouts, lunch, a wildlife park and a river ferry back to Sydney.
Book this Tour detailsFrequently asked questions
Is Jenolan Caves open in 2026?
No. NSW National Parks lists the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve, including the Caves Visitor Precinct, as closed until 31 December 2026.
When will Jenolan Caves reopen?
The target is early 2027. Jenolan Caves says it is making progress towards reopening then, and an exact date has not been announced.
Why is Jenolan Caves closed?
Major weather events between 2021 and 2024 severely damaged the Two Mile section of Jenolan Caves Road, and the caves have been closed since April 2024 while it is repaired.
Can I do Jenolan Caves and the Blue Mountains in one day?
Not in 2026, because the reserve is closed. Spend the day on Echo Point, Scenic World, Wentworth Falls or the Blackheath lookouts instead.
Ready to book
Choose your tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option.
Scenic World, Wildlife Park & River Cruise
- Scenic World Railway, Skyway and Cableway
- Three Sisters and Jamison Valley lookouts
- Featherdale Wildlife Park or Sydney Zoo
Blue Mountains Full-Day Trip with Scenic World Rides
Featherdale, Leura, three rides and a ferry home
Aboriginal Experience Day with a Wiradjuri Guide
An acknowledgement ceremony, stories of Country and bush food, max 14
